Universal joint



M. .C. FRINS- UNIVERSAL JOINT.

APPLICATION FILED MAYIQ; 1921.

1, 11 3,848. Patented Apr. 25, 1922.

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

ug-,1, 0 IWEIVTOR ATTORNEYS M. C. FRINS.

UNIVERSAL JOINT.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 19, I921.

Patented Apr. 25, 1922.

A TTORNE rs I IflAiIMILIAN C. FRINS, OF NEW YORK, N. COMPANY, OF 'NEW YORK, N. Y.,

Y., ASSIG-NOR TO INTERNATIONAL MOTOR A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE.

UNIVERSAL JOINT.

' Application filed ma 19,

T 0 all whomc't may concern:

Be it known that I, MAXIMILIAN (J. FRINS, a citizen of the United 'States, residing in the borough of Manhattan of the city of New York, in the State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Universal Joints, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

In an application filed by the present applicant on December 6, 1920, Ser. No. 428,464, there was disclosed an improved universal joint in which positive connections between the elements were entirely eliminated and the parts retained in proper relation by a cover. The present .invention relates to an improved joint which embodies the same principle but which possesses certain additional advantages gotten through an increase in the superficial area of the bearing surfaces, a reduction in the number of parts, more thorough lubrication and greater facility of assembling and disassembling. In the copending application above referred to there were emp oyed two trunnions which were journaled in trunnion blocks, but it is believed that the elimination of trunnions journaled in trunnion blocks, as in the present invention, will give greater efficiency, reduced wear and more complete lubrication.

In accordance with the present invention a trunnion is employed, but this trunnion is not journaled in the housing of-the joint but has its ends seated in caps, the interiorsof which are of such shape as to permit rocking of the trunnion. The trunnions are formed with fiat side faces which bear against the fiat sides of segmental shoes, the exteriors of which are curved. These curved shoes bear against curved surfaces formed in the housing. By this construction the number of parts is reduced to a mlnimum, larger contacting areas are effected and yet the joint is housed as compactly as heretofore.

Other improvements incorporated in the improved joint and having to do with features of lubrication and cheapness of cost will appear as the detailed description of the preferred embodiments proceeds. Referringnow to the drawings- Figure 1 is an assembly view of the drivlng and driven ends of a shaft having associated therewith the improved joint, parts being Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented. Apr. 25, 1922.

1921. Serial No. 470,793.

shown in section and other parts being removed in the interest of clearness.

Figure 2 is adetailed view in longitudinal section through one of the joints shown in Fi ure 1.

igure 3 is a view in longitudinal section of the joint shown in Figure 2, but taken on the plane indicated'by the line 33 of F igure 2 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 4 is aview in transverse section of the joint shown in Figure 2 and taken along the plane indicated by the broken line 4-4 and looking in the direction of .the arrows.

Figures 5 and 6 are detail views in side elevation of the, improved housingtaken at relative angles of 90 and a quadrant being shown in section in each figure.

Figure 7 is a detail view in elevation of the trunnion.

Figures 8 and 9 are detail views in side elevation but at relative angles of of the bearing caps.

Figures 10 and 11 are views in lon itudinal and transverse sections. respective v, through a somewhat modified construction.

Figures 1246 are detail views of the caps and shoes used in the construction illustrated in Figures 10 and 11.

In Figure 1 it maybe assumed, in the interest of clearness, that the tubular shaft a is splined, as at a, for sliding connection with a trunnion I) through which the driving torque is transmitted to the shaft, while the other end is keyed to a somewhat similar trunnion c and locked thereto by means of a lock nut a torque being delivered from the trunnion 0 to the driven element. In so far as .the present invention is concerned, however, there is no difference in principle between the universal joint introduced at the different ends of shafting, although, in practice 'it may be desirable to have the slight difference in form illustrated herein. For an understanding of the invention'it will be sufficient to describe the joint through which the driving torque may be assumed to be delivered to the shaft a. This joint is illustrated in detail in the drawings. If the driving shaft be indicated by the reference character 0!, it will be understood that power therefrom may flange d fixed thereon and to which is bolted be delivered through the' the flange e of the housing 6, as illustrated Bil aid

- be embraced b in detail in Figures 5 and 6. .Within this housing is disposed the trunnion b. This trunnion has itself two diametrically extendin ends I), b beveled or formed of. genera ly spherical outline for-engagement with end caps f, 7'', respectively, which are carried in diametrical openings 6 6*, respectively, formed in .the housing 6. The inner surfaces of the caps f, f, are of generally similar outline to the ends 6', b of the trunnion 5. Their exterior surfaces are curved,

as shown in Figure 2, to conform to the curvature of the exterior of the housing e. The caps f, f. do not actually supportthe trunnion Z1, but the ends of the trunnion I) do bear on said caps and move freely therein with universal movement. The caps hold the trunnion against axial movement.

The opposite sides of the trunnion extending between the diametrical ends 6, b are machined flat, as indicated in Figure 4. Against these fiat sides bear the flat sides of the segmental shoes g. The exteriors of these shoes 9 are curved and bear against the curved openings 6 e formedin the housing 6. The ends of the shoes g may rest against the opposite caps f, f in order to keep them properly positioned and hold them against longitudinal displacement.

All of the parts are maintained in proper relation and thetrunnion held against axial movement by means ofa cylindrical cover h which may be bolted to the flange 6 and may have its end It formed in generally spherical shape and provided with a packing if. The cover 72, is adapted to embrace the exterior wall of the housing 6 with some degree of snugness and since the exterior edge of the bearing caps f, f conforms to the curvature of the housing, they will also the cover.

Much attention has been given to the problem of lubrication in the improved construction in order that all of the bearing and wearing parts might be constantly lubricated. Onthe end of the trunnion there is seated a spiral spring 5 which presses against .a hollow retainer is which conforms gener- 50- ally to the end It ofthe cover it and rests within it so as to be pressed by the spring i against the acking h. introduced t rough a drawn channel it adapted to be closed by a suitable plug hf. Incidentally the drawn channel It has the 'mechanical function of positioning the cover in proper relation to the housing since its length is such that it must be placed between the scalloped ends e. The caps f, f are formed with ducts f which communicate, respectively, with ducts 6 extending through the diametrical ends 6', b of the tIHHIHOD'b. The ducts-b open in line with the splines a, so that free circulation of the lubricant thereover is afiordcd. In ordriving flange d.

The lubricant is der that the flat sides of the trunnion b may likewise be lubricated the shoes g are formed with ports 9' through which the lubricant ma circulate.

he parts of the joint are of the utmost simplicity and cost little in manufacture. They may be assembled with ease.- In. assembling the trunnion .b is passed through the open end of the housing 6. The shaft wis placed in engagement therewith. The spring 2' and hollow retainer k are slipped into place, the spring being centered in a groove 6 in the trunnion; Theshoes 9 may be slid in place laterally through the side openings 6 e in the housing c with their flat faces bearing against the opposite fiat walls of the trunnion b. The bearing caps f, f are then placed in the openings 6 ,13

with their exteriors conforming to the outer wall of the housing 6. A retaining spring Z may be snapped into a groove 6* in the outer wall of the housing and into alined grooves 4 in the outer faces of the caps f, f. ith the parts in this relation the cover It may be slid along against the hollow retainer k and against the action of the spring a and finally bolted to the flange 6 of the housing, common bolts m serving, if desired, to secure the cover in place and at the same time to secure the flange e to the Angular movement of the shaft a with relation to the shaft 0?,- in one plane,'is efi'ected by the rocking of the exterior curved surfaces of the segmental shoes 9 on the curved-walls of the openings 6 e in the housing e. Angular movement of the shaft or in a plane at right angles to the first described movement is to permit all sliding movement of the flat side faces of the trunnion b on the. flat faces of the shoes g. Movement of the trunnion in either lane or in an plane compounded of the first two is faci itated by the spherical seats in the caps f, f for the ends 6', b of the trunnion andradial movement of the trunnion with relation to. its axis and of the caps f, f is positively prevented by the cover k.

Y The construction described while retaining the most desirable features of the joint shown in'the'aforementioned application isbelieved to have certain advantages thereouter end curved, as shown in Figure 14,

to engage slidably a curved seat F in a bearing cap F supported in the housing E, as heretofore described. The cover H holds each bearing cap F against radial movement. Angular movement of the trunnion piece B in one plane is had about the axis of the trunnions B, B while angular movement in a plane at right angles thereto is had by planetary movement of the blocks n, n on their curved seats in the respective bearing caps F. All of the other elements of the joint may be constructed and arran d as before described.

anges in detail, such as have to do with,

form and dimensions, and details within the skill of a mechanic may be made without departing from me spirit of the invention, provided the alterations fall within the scope of the appended claims.

claim as my invention:

1. A universal joint comprising a. housing having independent diametrically opposed bearing caps supported therein and formed with curved seats on their inner faces, trunnions mounted within the housing and having curved ends oppositely extended at right angles to the axis of rotation and operatively seated on the curved bearing seats of said caps, and a cover to hold the caps against axial movement along lines coincident with the axes of said trunnions.

2. A universal joint comprising a housing, independent diametrically opposed bearing caps supported in the housing and having their inner faces formed with curved seats, trunnions having diametrical ends seated for universal movement in and relativelyto the opposed bearing caps, said trunnions being formedwith opposed flat sides, and independent segmental shoes having flat sides in engagement with the opposed flat sides of the trunnions for relative movement therebetween in one plane and their curved ex-- terior sides journaled rotatably in the housing for rotative movement with the trunnions in another plane.

3. A universal joint comprising a housing, independent diametrically opposed bearing caps supported in the housing, trunnions having diametrical curved ends seated for universal movement in the opposed bearing caps, said trunnions being formed with opposed flat sides, independent segmental shoes having flat sides in engagement with the opposed flat sides of the trunnions for relative movement therebetween in one plane and their curved exterior sides journaled rotatably in the housing for rotative movement with the trunnions in another plane, and a cover to hold the bearing caps against axial movement.

4. A universal joint comprising a housing, independent diametrically opposed bearing caps supportedin the housing and having spherical seats, ontheir faces trunnions having diametrical ends of spherical form seated in the spherical seats for universal movement in the opposed bearing caps, said trunnions being formed with opposed flat sides, and independent segmental shoes having fiat sides in engagement with the opposed fiat sides of the trunnions for relative movement therebetween in one plane and their curved exterior sides the housing.

5. A universal joint comprising a circular housing having curved openings therein at diametrically opposite points, independent bearing caps fitted snugly within said openings and conforming exteriorly to the outline of the housing and having curved inner faces, and having diametrical curved ends seated in the respective inner faces of the caps for universal movement, said trunnion having two of their opposite sides flat, independent segmental shoes having fiat surfaces against which the flat sides of the trunnion bear for relative movement in one plane and having exteriorly curved surfaces resting in the curved openings in the housing for rotative two of their opposite sides flat, independent segmental shoes having flat surfaces against which the fiat sides for relative movement therebetween in one plane and having exteriorly curved surfaces resting in the curved openings in the housing for rotative movement in another plane. and a cover to hold the caps against axial movement.

7. A universal joint comprising a housing having openings therein at diametrically opposite points, independent bearing caps supported in the openings and having curved inner faces, trunnions having diametrical ends seated in the curved faces of the caps,

j ournaled rotatably in of the trunnion bear the trunnions being formed on opposite side walls with flat surfaces, and independent segmental shoes having fiat surfaces on which the flat surfaces of the trunnion rest and exteriorly curved surfaces bearing against the openings in the housing for rotative movement with the trunnions, said -trunnion ends and bearing caps having through communicating ports for a lubricant,

8. A universal joint comprising a housing having openings therein at diametrically isses inner faces of the caps, the trunnions being formed on opposite side walls With flat surtrunnion rest for relative movement between the shoes and trunnions and exteriorly curved surfaces bearing against the openings in the housing, and a cover embracing the bearing caps and holding them against axial movement, said trunnion ends and bearing caps having through communicating ports for a lubricant.

This specification signed the 13 day of May, A. D., 1921.

MAXIM-ILIAN C. FR-INS. 

